Chilliwack homicide suspect’s vehicle found, IHIT says

Homicide investigators say they have located a vehicle associated with Eric John Shestalo, the man suspected of a triple shooting in Chilliwack on Thursday that left two people dead.

Police located the 50-year-old’s red 1990 Jeep JY « in the Bridal Falls area » Friday morning, according to a statement released Saturday by the Lower Mainland Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

IHIT said its members – along with officers from the Chilliwack RCMP, Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT), RCMP Air One helicopter, Integrated Dog Services (IPDS ) and the Lower Mainland Integrated Tactical Support Group – conducted an « intensive search » for Shestalo on Friday, but the suspect remains at large.

The search will continue throughout Saturday and the public is urged to avoid the area, IHIT said.

Police said Thursday that Shestalo is considered « armed and dangerous. » Anyone who sees him is asked to exercise caution and call 911 immediately.

« Investigators are determining why Mr. Shestalo traveled to Bridal Falls, » IHIT spokesman Sergeant Timothy Pierotti said in the statement.

« We are working to determine if he is staying in the area or has left, » he added. « So far many people have come forward to provide information. We need this to continue as we work to find Mr Shestalo. »

Police were called to a house on McNaught Road in Chilliwack around 11 a.m. Thursday to a report that two women and a man suffered gunshot wounds.

Upon arrival, officers found one woman already deceased and a second in critical condition. She was airlifted to hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.

On Thursday evening, the IHIT announced that it had taken up the case. He also shared footage of Shestalo and his vehicle.

Investigators said they believe Shestalo knew the victims and the shooting was targeted.

Police describe Shestalo as a white male who is 5-foot-9 and weighs 176 pounds. He was last seen wearing black pants, a black jacket, and a black hat with orange trim.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact IHIT. The team is also looking for dash cam video of the Bridal Falls area recorded between 11 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.

Advice can be provided by calling the IHIT information line at 877-551-4448 or emailing ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.